The United Kingdom has pledged an additional £450 million in military aid to Ukraine, reinforcing its support amid ongoing conflict with Russia. The announcement comes as the UK and Germany co-host a major gathering of 50 allied nations in Brussels to coordinate further assistance for Kyiv.

UK Defence Secretary John Healey emphasized the need to "pile pressure" on Russian President Vladimir Putin and urged allies to intensify support for Ukraine. “We must step up to deter Russian aggression by continuing to bolster Ukraine’s defences,” he said.

• The latest aid package includes:

• Hundreds of thousands of drones

• Anti-tank mines

• Radar systems

Funding for repairs and maintenance of previously supplied UK military vehicles

Out of the total sum, £350 million is being directly funded by the UK, with Norway contributing additional funds through the UK-led International Fund for Ukraine. More than £250 million will be allocated to frontline equipment like drones and anti-tank measures, while £160 million is reserved for repair and maintenance of vehicles already in use.

Addressing the Ukraine Defence Contact Group meeting in Brussels, Healey stated, “2025 is the critical year for the war in Ukraine, and this is a critical moment. Our job as defence ministers is to get urgent military aid into the hands of Ukrainian war fighters.”

He also encouraged other nations to reassess and expand their contributions. “Look harder at what more you can do,” he urged fellow defence leaders.

This announcement follows a series of major aid commitments from the UK, including a £1.6 billion missile deal last month, alongside a £2.2 billion loan backed by profits from frozen Russian assets.

Despite the announcement, some political voices in the UK argue the package falls short. Liberal Democrat defence spokeswoman Helen Maguire called the new funding “small change” and reiterated calls for the UK to seize Russian assets within Britain to provide more substantial aid to Ukraine.

Friday’s international meeting was co-chaired by Healey and German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, marking a shift in leadership of the group from the US to Europe after Donald Trump’s inauguration as US president. Although no longer leading, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth attended virtually, as did Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

The Brussels summit followed a separate meeting of the Franco-British-led “coalition of the willing,” where ministers debated the possibility of establishing a military presence in Ukraine to help maintain future peace.

Though no decisions were made, the idea of a peacekeeping force remains under discussion. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas raised concerns about defining the role of such a force, asking, “Are they monitoring, are they deterring, are they keeping the peace, are they fighting?”

Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts to end the war continue. Despite earlier refusals, Russia is reportedly preparing for talks with Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, who arrived in Moscow on Friday to meet President Putin.

On the battlefield, fighting remains intense. Ukrainian forces are reported to be operating inside Russia’s Belgorod and Kursk regions, although Russian troops have regained control in some areas. Overnight, Russian drone attacks struck Ukraine’s Kharkiv region, injuring at least four, while Ukrainian drones were intercepted over Russian territory, according to state media.

With diplomatic channels active and military efforts escalating, the UK’s latest package signals a continued commitment to supporting Ukraine in what officials are calling a pivotal phase of the conflict.